Yet Another Ridiculous Cartridge

[Coaltminer]

Just got my American Rifleman. More nonsense about Savage and Winchester teaming up for the 17WSSM. They won't sell it to me. Innovative? I don't think so. I'm too old for this unimpressive ****. The 22LR and 22 Mag will do fine, thank you. Who is the intended market for this junk? Geeez

 

[yaktamer]

Okay, so don't buy one. Why get so upset?

 

[shouldazagged]

I think I remember people saying the same kind of thing about the .22-250 and .40 S&W. There are always those who'll buy. I'm not one in this case, but that's okay--no sweat.

 

[RonJ]

Are any of the WSSM cartridges still popular? Is anyone making rifles for them?

 

[Coaltminer]

Okay, so don't buy one. Why get so upset?

This pointless drivel continues from manufacturers instead of giving me a nice walnut stock and brightly blued barrel, THAT'S WHY. Money spent on R&D of this junk in lieu of better materials and finish is a waste of money. Ever handle a Colt-Sauer rifle? Fit, finish and quality of materials is unsurpassed. Now, it's a new rimfire cartridge in a plastic stocked rifle with a dull blue finish. Winchester has limited production lever guns that go $1300 or so, made in Japan. Beautiful guns that we used to pay $3-400 for. Colt-Sauer rifles go $2-3000 and up for standard calibers, so someone is willing to pay the price. A firearm is not just a tool for me, there is aesthetic value as well. I have new as well as older Smith revolvers. Both are functional, but there's a difference in knowing someone stood at a lathe and machined an older one, it means something to me. I have a new 29 Classic and an old 581. The Classic went back because the cylinder release wouldn't return to original position, therefore I was unable to cock it or pull DA. They replaced the ejector rod and ratchet, retimed. The 581 has some chatter marks on the ejector shroud, below the rod, but it works every time I trip the trigger, made in '82. I enjoy seeing those chatter marks on the shroud, at least it was worked by the human hand. Way back when, when I was looking at a Colt Custom Shop catalog, it had a picture of a Custom Shop employee looking at the cylinder gap on an SAA revolver, said something like "there's no replacement for the human eye.". Those days are gone, but I miss 'em. Now, they waste money on idiotic stuff like the 17WSSM. Rant will never be over! Fire away

 

[Coaltminer]

Are any of the WSSM cartridges still popular? Is anyone making rifles for them?

Only Browning, AFAIK. Winchester discontinued them in their rifles. Some casings I've seen at the range were split at the neck, I'm assuming factory ammo. More nonsense chamberings!

 

[Coaltminer]

Elmer Keith, at a Remington seminar in Maryland, I believe, said "what good is it," in reference to the introduction o Remington's 8mm Magnum. Exactly, it's defunct, as is their UltraMag

 

[kudzu3]

This pointless drivel continues from manufacturers instead of giving me a nice walnut stock and brightly blued barrel, THAT'S WHY. Money spent on R&D of this junk in lieu of better materials and finish is a waste of money. Ever handle a Colt-Sauer rifle? Fit, finish and quality of materials is unsurpassed. Now, it's a new rimfire cartridge in a plastic stocked rifle with a dull blue finish. Winchester has limited production lever guns that go $1300 or so, made in Japan. Beautiful guns that we used to pay $3-400 for. Colt-Sauer rifles go $2-3000 and up for standard calibers, so someone is willing to pay the price. A firearm is not just a tool for me, there is aesthetic value as well. I have new as well as older Smith revolvers. Both are functional, but there's a difference in knowing someone stood at a lathe and machined an older one, it means something to me. I have a new 29 Classic and an old 581. The Classic went back because the cylinder release wouldn't return to original position, therefore I was unable to cock it or pull DA. They replaced the ejector rod and ratchet, retimed. The 581 has some chatter marks on the ejector shroud, below the rod, but it works every time I trip the trigger, made in '82. I enjoy seeing those chatter marks on the shroud, at least it was worked by the human hand. Way back when, when I was looking at a Colt Custom Shop catalog, it had a picture of a Custom Shop employee looking at the cylinder gap on an SAA revolver, said something like "there's no replacement for the human eye.". Those days are gone, but I miss 'em. Now, they waste money on idiotic stuff like the 17WSSM. Rant will never be over! Fire away

Yep!
xxxxxx

 

[jlrhiner]

WOW!!! (somebody needs a hug!)

 

[Pef]

If you ask me, any cartridge introduced after the .45-70 Government is JUNK. .45-70: Everything you need and nothin' you don't.

Seriously, the thought of a 3000 FPS rimfire is intriguing. I've no use for it here, but if I were out in country I might consider it.

As for money on R&D, that's not going to affect the cost of materials. You want deep rich walnut and deep glossy blue, you'll have to pay for it. The money spent on R&D is not a cost driver for finish.

I do agree with you re plastic stocks and dull blue or matte finish - just doesn't seem right to me either.

 

[NZshooter]

I agree with Coaltminer. I'm not going to get all worked up over it, but I agree with his sentiment.

While polymer and corrosion resistant but uninspiring finishes certainly have their place, people (most of the gun buying market) just doesn't care about fine wood or deep lustrous blue anymore... want that kind of stuff, you're going to have to pay for it for a custom or semi- custom gun.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Everyone has different likes and dislikes to be sure. I for one have no use for the .22 Mag for instance but that only concerns myself and no one else. If you love the .22 Mag good for you and if you get enjoyment out of it so much the better! Sometimes with all the new and improved offerings out there I just shake my head but I always remember that other folks like different things than I do and some probably wonder what that old coot see' s in that old fashioned SA/DA revolver with that really old .45 Colt cartridge. To each their own.

 

[HalfStack]

Or make your own stock.

(response to #11)

 

[venomballistics]

I have little use for rimfires in general. though I do see the appeal of the classic 22 LR
if one needs or wants more than it has to offer17 bee, 22 hornet, 222, 223, 222 mag ,243 and 220 swift are all callin your name.
want something unique ... go for it .. Clymer tool and die will gladly turn out a custom reamer to your specs.
Get a barrel and a receiver and build yourself a unique centerfire rifle.

 

[M29since14]

I agree too. Not worked up, but agreeing.

I am sick to death of buying a new handgun, getting it home to clean it up and finding a barrel that looks like it was manufactured in Jr. High metal shop class. And it is nearly unheard of to get just a decent trigger, much less a pretty good one. I like the idea of walnut and polished steel but I would think it a 100% improvement just to get a gun with a nice looking barrel and a usable trigger - for less than $2000.

My PC1911 has a passing fair trigger for a crunch-tick 1911, but the inside of the barrel sure is nothing to take any pride in. And that is supposed to be one of the best S&W can make... ?

Sorry to get off the ridiculous cartridge track, but the OP is right. Take the R&D money spent on that useless nonsense and go back to making guns people can shoot. Look at the money spent on developing the modern "M&P" and its launch, and every single one of them I have ever handled has had an absolutely atrocious trigger.

 

[Gunsnwater]

Got my rifleman today also. The trajectory chart says it all. Varmint gun cheaper ammo no hassle of 17 cal reloading. I don't need to spend 800 dollars or more for a wonderful wood deep blued rimfire. How little do you want to pay labor to polish and checker by hand. How can we have it all for 150 dollars? If we had stayed on the gold standard it would be possible, but not with our worthless paper money. But don't let me pour water on your rant. I like a good rant.

 

[pownal55]

I saw the article too. Forgive me Savage fans but that has to be the ugliest rifle I ever saw, accurate or not. Show me a Cooper or similar rifle in that caliber and you might get my attention.

 

[M3Stuart]

I'll weigh in with; I agree with the OP - that the WSSM is a bullet looking for an application. I guess I'm impressed by the velocity, but confused by the small projectile. If it were inexpensive as, say, the .22 LR, then I could see the sporting nature of 'hunting' bottle-cap-size-targets at hundreds of yards. Say if you were hunting cicadas at 350 yards . Yea, a super high-velocity bullet with an ultra-flat trajectory... But I don't see it being an 'inexpensive' cartridge and am thus confused by the 'hype'. Note: I could be wrong about the projectile it might be really looonnnnggg, and thus heavier.

 

[Coaltminer]

WOW!!! (somebody needs a hug!)

Don't need the hug, thankya, just want a damn real gun. I'm old, but I'm not stupid. I'm about nuts or perhaps I've outlived my time, no regrets. I've been able to work full time plus overtime and spend lots of range time. A few years ago , I worked 3-11 and 1am-9am on Friday, just for another day at the range. Worked out well, but almost fell asleep one Sat. morning coming home. Wouldn't trade a minute of it. Wife is very understanding, may God bless her. If I die tomorrow, I pray you all have a life as good as mine. Thanks for listening, I still want(but don't need)a Colt-Sauer. God bless you all, don't forget Him.

 

[Farmer17]

I had a Winchester M70 25WSSM. It was a great little cartrige not much longer than a 357 mag round, and it had the ballistics of a 25-06 in a short and very light rifle. The ammo was just not very common and expensive so I got rid of it. But I really liked the round!